ichthyornis

Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

n. Any of various extinct, toothed birds of the genus Ichthyornis that existed during the Cretaceous Period.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

n. An extinct genus of toothed birds found in the American Cretaceous formation. It is remarkable for having biconcave vertebræ, and sharp, conical teeth set in sockets. Its wings were well developed. It is the type of the order Odontotormæ.

from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

n. A remarkable genus of birds, founded by Marsh (1872) upon remains from the pteranodon beds, of Cretaceous age, in Kansas: so called from the resemblance of the vertebræ to those of fishes.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition